Mobile malware has grown by 163% in 2012, 95% of it targetted Android

Let's be honest - malware is very, very uncool. Unfortunately, though, it's out there and it's even spreading its corruption to our peaceful and happy mobile world. The bad news is that mobile malware has substantially grown in 2012, by no less than 163%, compared to 2011. Not surprisingly, 95% of the infections have taken place on Android devices, seeing that it's one of the most open operating systems around.

The research has been done by NQ Mobile, which is, surprise, surprise, a mobile security company. Now, just because NQ Mobile is a security company doesn't mean that we should totally ignore their message, but it does mean that things may not be as ugly as they try to present them. According to the research, more than 32.8 million Android devices have been infected in 2012. This doesn't seem like a small number at all, even considering the astronomical sales of Android devices.

Despite being a major market, though, US users shouldn't be too worried, because most of the malware attacks seem to be focused on China, India and Russia. We certainly aren't the kind of people who'd recommend that you install a security app on your phone, not just yet at least, but it'll certainly be a good idea to limit those non-Play Store downloads as much as your can.

Android malware doesn't even exist to start with, all those are just gimmick Av-sponsored marketing nonsense to lure people into those already useless (Yes totally useless) products that supposedly 'protect' the device.

Apps being run on Android have zero access to system resources let alone the ability to infect anything at all since everything is contained within the Dalvik VM. Those so called 'Malware Apps' are in fact Rogue Apps that are never automatically installed. It's the user's fault for compromising the system. At most those apps will exploit the permission system to steal data but they can't even damage anything at ALL.

The user must be dumb enough to click on 'Install' when prompted, but once again, stupid people use smartphones.

I agree that the necessity isn't there if one "keeps one's pants on" by sticking to credible sources. Still, I'd worry about drive-by downloads. Many of us (especially my customers, it seems) like going to "questionable" websites for free movies, porn, etc. Many of these sites slam PCs (usually Windows); it's not a major leap to imagine the same targeting done to Android and iOS.

Then every platform fails. No platform is safe, even macs and iphone get malware. The #1 source of malware on android comes from piracy and fake apps, it is near impossible to get a virus if you stay on the play store and don't download random crap.

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